NL West

Now Commenting On:

Players express sadness over Torrealba's departure

Players express sadness over Torrealba's departure

Email

Print

Yorvit Torrealba

By
/
|

ARLINGTON -- Between two trades with the Cubs, the Rangers gave up three Minor League players. But Yorvit Torrealba, who was designated for assignment following the deal that sent Cubs catcher Geovany Soto to the Rangers, will also be lost.

The Rangers have 10 days to either trade or release Torrealba, who batted .236 with three home runs and 12 RBIs in 49 games with the Rangers this season. After going on paternity leave earlier this month, Torrealba had seven hits in his last 15 at-bats. His former teammates, while excited about the additions of Soto and Ryan Dempster, admitted they would miss Torrealba.

"I'm going to miss how fun he's been," David Murphy said. "He's a very upbeat guy that keeps the game fun all the time. He's a fiery guy that gets the team pumped up. He's been a huge contributor to this organization for the last two years."

"He's a character," Josh Hamilton said. "He was just a good teammate. He had experience and we can use guys around here that have experience."

Torrealba was a more productive hitter last year than he was this season. He hit .273 with seven home runs and 37 RBIs in 113 games in 2011. Signed as a free agent by the Rangers in 2010, Torrealba recorded six hits in 17 postseason at-bats over seven games last year.

"It's tough losing a guy like Torrealba," Matt Harrison said. "I didn't know about it until I got home last night, so I didn't get a chance to talk to him. He's a great teammate and a great clubhouse guy. He's going to be well-missed around here."